Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-27
Cycling.
From the London Standard.

Cycling gives man new view OF his fellow
man. He who has been accustomed to only walk
on the pavement or be hOrse-conveyedi in the road
way, has his eyes opened directly he mounts
cycle He never took much notice OF drivers be-
fore, merely observing that they were generally OF
a rubicund countenance, from exposure TO our
moist climate; but now he is forced reckon with
them, and soon begins TO look on them as pOten-
tates and rather autocratic ones too. Here is the
butcher-boy coming with his fast-trotting pony.
AS long as you were on the pavement you would
pay him no attention, beyond casual glance at
his bare head, whence the adjacent scenery Is re.
Elected by the mutton Suet. But now you are
on cycle you feel an uneasy sense OF being In his
power. He has only to touch your wheel or your
treadle by accident, as he inclined TO do in
order to send you Sprawling, so that this butcher
boy. whom socially you have never before recog-
age to be propitiated by bland smile or even. In
extreme cases, a nod. Then there is a man IL The
tax cart, who drives with loose rein and encour-
ages his hOrSe'S VagarieS In running all over the
road He, you can see, is just the man to delight
tn close shave and right down good swear
he viii obge you with both So he again Asserts
brother: There is also the ''p private ate
by his side, spanks along with the pair OF grays
You have no spill to fear from him. and he has too
much respect Ior his horses and carriage, If not
for you; but they both plainly regard YOU with
considerable contempt as small, noxiOus insect
not worth while stopping to crush. Thus the at
titude assumed by drivers is calculated to coun
teract any little personal conceit the cyclist NAV
by cnance entertain. Not only drivers but pedes-
TRANS also, acquire new interest in the ewes or
the cyclist. He imbiDes the drivers own careful
ness, not to say dread, with regard to children
It Is curious TACT IN physics that the aggregate
OF phosphorus and blubber called child is al
ways 1rresistibly drawn to cross q road lust at
tnat moment when there is the greatest danger in
its doing So Given Child walking on q solitary
road, and he would never think OF cross
ing 1t, but stud that road with wheels and IL
becomes necessity OF his being to rush across
every few seconds SO "mind the child" is the
ever-preSent thought OF the cyclist as he has no
wish to lose his mileage by attending tnOuests
This cannot but tend TO soften his manners and
open his heart TO the gentle Influences of bib and
tucker. And he has adults to reckon With as well
Some pedestrians prefer to walk in the roadway
and the tinkie OF the cyclists bell behind is q great
temptation to some TO walk ZigZag. clever
walker may in this way keep q cyclisJ behind him
for long distance Tor he has far less to fear from
the collision than the rider So the cyclists tenn
per gets tested again here, and he reapS no end of
moral benefit.
Then he has another source OF moral Improve
ment which he did not before enjoy. He comes
into new relationship with what may be politely
termed the "OutSpOken" classes. These had never
come between the wind and his nobility till he
mounted those wheels; but now they claim him
as confidential friend and the proper recipient
OF their thoughts On matters generally, and more
particularly on his personal appearance. This
custom enables the cyclisJ to get q new view of
himself as others see him, and decidedly makes
for righteousness